There is a good reason why Vegas is known as the city that never sleeps…I think I’ve only just recovered 2 months later. What a loser!
So, let’s start from the top. On arrival at the strip, what’s the first thing you do?
Drink
For us, it was to go for a ‘few’ drinks for my boyfriend’s 21st. But, if you’ve done any research whatsoever, you know how expensive this can be. We’re talking like $10 minimum for a drink (if you’re lucky)…and if you’re out to get merry, this is going to cost a bomb.
BUT, don’t cry into your wallet just yet. Do your research. We found some cheap places (that looked dodgy on google maps I’ll give you that- but were actually pretty awesome), just off the strip.
So for our first night we spent it drinking $2 Coronas and $1 shots (I know right- cheaper than your local). All was pretty civilised till we got chatting to some millionaires from Kentucky, and experimented with US and UK drinks and before I know it Im being served pickle juice to ‘calm my stomach’ and carrying both my boyfriend home (hammered) and 10 hours of jet lag under my eyes.
Successful 21st birthday by British standards then?
Gambling
Everywhere you go, there’s gambling. You can’t escape that.
Before Vegas I’d never even gambled, unless we’re counting 2p slot machines at Skegness(?) Boy was I in for a treat.
You’ll quite easily find yourself saying you’ll only stop for ‘a bit’ because you’re pooped, but thanks to the oxygen being pumped into every casino, no windows or natural light, and free alcohol being served, you’ll still find yourself 4 hours later, convincing yourself that putting it all on red is the best idea. BYEEEEE
I still never really figured out how to use the slot machines (but I was pretty good at it so Im not complaining).
Eat Till You Burst
Whether you want fine dining or quick and easy- the food in Vegas will blow your mind.
Put it this way, you can easily spend $300 on dinner (but wow it’s worth it).
One of my highlights of the holiday (or lowlights of my life?), is the Heart Attack Grill.
The name itself pretty much says it all.
This is an experience in itself. You start out by weighing yourself, and if you’re over 350lbs you eat for free (whoever said America promotes obesity!?).
You are then dressed by your dedicated nurse into a hospital gown and shown to your table. You’re given a needle jello shot (I can only assume to numb the humility) whilst you await your food.
Now if you’re still not finding this situation odd/humiliating/wtf am I doing, then I’ll throw into the scenario that everything is deep fried in lard, and you can even have a burger with 8 patties and 40 slices of bacon on….and if you don’t eat EVERYTHING you order, you are hit several times, on the bum with a wooden paddle by your nurse, in front of the entire restaurant…(I did warn you).
It’s safe to say I ordered the smallest thing on the menu (which was still huge), and forced myself to eat every bite.
“911 what’s you’re emergency?”
“Im heading into a food coma.”
Shows
Short and sweet. Don’t pre-book. You’ll think you have to, but you’re mistaken!
There’s that much to do you could be left regretting pre-planning your trip.
There are ‘last minute’ booths, where you can buy tickets on the day at a reduced cost- and they usually come with food discounts too (bonus)!
Shopping
Ok, so Im going to mention a little day called Black Friday.
CALLING ALL SHOPAHOLICS!
Vegas has literally so many shops it’s unbelievable, however we decided to save ourselves for November 24th. Best decision ever.
By the end of the day our feet ached, our hands hurt, but our pockets didn’t. With the majority of your favourite designers and brands having 70% off, no wonder Americans go nuts for this stuff!? The UK sucks big time in comparison. Js.
My best bargain had to be…Coach handbags. I am a total sucker for a good purse. I went to Marc Jacobs (-70% off), Calvin Klein (-50% off) and about 50 other shops…but I found my new love in Coach.
The price of handbags were unnervingly cheap (I can’t help myself) and with 70% off, instead of picking between the same handbag in red and black, I bought both. Costing the total of $130, with the regular price of one being $200. $$ KERCHING $$
Life is short, buy the bag.
I bought that much stuff that day, I had to buy a new hand luggage (also in the sale).
P.s if you’re after designer but don’t quite have the budget, head to the North and/or South Vegas Strip Outlets, they are definitely worth the hit.
Hotels
Advice: Stay in the best, or the most outrageous hotel you can.
You’ve travelled all that way, a little more cash on an amazing hotel won’t hurt!
We picked the Bellagio after spending forever scouting through booking.com and trip advisor for the best deal and best reviews and oh my god, how insane.
Even if you don’t stop at the Bellagio, the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory are well worth the visit. If you don’t believe me, then ask the 15,000 people visiting each day.
…AND don’t even get me started on the fountains, with a display every 10 minutes, or so, each evening, with different lights and music, this is the ultimate show stopper and an absolute must-see. In our case, we booked a room with a view of the fountain and got to see it every evening, for 7 magical nights.
Have an outrageously expensive night you’ll never forget.
This is probably the easiest thing to do (as it’s sin city and bloody mental, duh). You can almost guarantee whatever you do, it’ll be the best night of your life.
I’d googled the nightlife/nightclubs before heading out and became aware of the Hakkasan chain. Before I know it, I’d prebooked two VIP entry tickets to Steve Aoki on a Saturday night with a $200 bar tab. Oopsies.
As the night came around, we grabbed an Uber and headed to the opposite end of the strip for potentially the best night ever, with 10 minutes to spare we arrived. Phew, easy.
Just kidding.
Upon arrival we were told we were at the wrong nightclub (lol), and actually needed to be at Omnia (the nightclub right next door to the Bellagio where we were stopping). Ha ha (*facepalm*). So, FYI there’s more than one nightclub in this chain- don’t make the same mistake I did.
Anyway, we managed to make it back and headed to the VIP queue. ID’ing is pretty strict in Nevada, and apparently I don’t look the same as my 16 year old self (a blessing and a curse). After I’d been interrogated by 3 different people, emptied my bag, and got my Facebook up, I was finally let in after getting my Apple ID up (hm?)…
And let me tell you, this nightclub was like no other. I cannot really describe the atmosphere, the lighting, the money, the craziness that was occurring. I needed a drink.
So to the bar it was…’$200 bar tab? That’ll last hours’…said no one ever.
With the stressed evening we’d had so far, I needed something strong and so opted for two double vodka lemonades (one each- Im not an animal).
At a steady $90 for two drinks (cheap right?), I was beginning to wonder if this place was even beyond us.
But regardless of alcohol, I didn’t need it to embrace how incredible Steve Aoki was.
Hands down, Steve Aoki is the best DJ.
Just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any crazier, we suddenly found a millionaire and his girlfriend inviting us into their VIP booth (which I can only guess cost $10k easy). Before I knew it I was partying like Paris Hilton, with a waiter serving me endless Grey Goose amongst other spirits that I wouldn’t even dream of affording. Lol.
We ended the night by playing black jack and roulette with our new Mexican millionaire friends…obviously how a standard night out ends?
That’s definitely one to tell the grandkids.
The Grand Canyon
You can see the bright lights and crazy sights of Las Vegas, but nothing will compare to seeing one of the seven wonders of the world.
Getting picked up at 5am was made slightly easier by the limo that greeted us (standard), which took us to the helicopter flight pad.
Here we embarked upon a helicopter, on a 40 minute flight to the Grand Canyon. We drank champagne, ate a wonderful breakfast and took time to take in the incredible morning spent soaking up the sights.
If you wish to visit the Grand Canyon when you visit Las Vegas (highly recommended), only do so by flight. A helicopter ride took 40 minutes, so you can only imagine how long that would take on a bus (you don’t want it to eat into your Vegas time!).
A place I cannot describe is the only way to put this. Worth every penny.
Freemont Street (Downtown)
Forget the Strip, forget everything you’ve seen or been told about Las Vegas. Freemont Street is on another level.
You’ll see the craziest of people, the coolest of art, and the brightest of lights. Whether you grab a cocktail and wander amongst the free events, or take a zip line through the skies of Freemont Street, this is a world beyond the Las Vegas Strip.
So if you’re a Vegas virgin, take a trip to Sin City and see what all the hype is about.
You don’t look back on your life and remember those nights you got plenty of sleep.
Exchange Your Dreams for Reality 